Muggles Market Spotlight: Pixie Rose Studio

Welcome to the Muggles Market Spotlight for 2018! Today, we are delighted to announce the addition of new artisan Pixie Rose Studio to our third annual Muggles Market at this year’s Geek Gala. Rachel Montgomery took a few minutes to answer some questions about her business and general geekery.

What kinds of items will you be selling at this year’s Muggles Market? I will have beaded bracelets and earrings inspired by my fan girl faves like Harry Potter/Fantastic Beasts, Game of Thrones, Marvel, and Disney. I plan to also have some Jane Austen inspired pieces as well. Right now, my creativity is madly driven by my love for dragons and other magical creatures.

How did you first get started making these things? I started beading in my youth, selling and trading my work while traveling to concerts all over the US in the summer. A beaded necklace would get me a decent meal in those days. I studied art history at the University of New Mexico, got my BAFA in Fine Arts and then moved back east where I turned my focus to modeling for professional artists (painters and sculptors),and took a break from creating my own work. Then a few years ago I picked up beading again. I found bead weaving gave me a sense of peace and true focus that I could not find anywhere else. At first it was just a hobby, but then friends and people I’d meet out shopping or through social media started asking to purchase my work. I never imagined my work would take me in this direction but I’m ecstatic it did! So I set up an Etsy shop and the rest is history.

What has been one of your favorite projects to work on? Definitely a custom order for a Darth Vader inspired wrap bracelet from a Disney gaming designer in California. Receiving pics of her wearing it in while in a meeting at Disney HQ was really freakin cool. It completely blew my mind.

What else can you tell us about yourself? I’m young fan girl trapped in the body of a 45 year old, mother of two unicorns, and married for nearly 18 years to a Tesla geek. I’m a ridiculously curious person. I love talking with random people (which really annoys my teenage kids – lol). I love learning new things – this year I’m going to learn ASL. I also love doing craft events at Time Out Youth. I’ll teach youth how to make beaded bracelets at an upcoming event. I feel passionate about supporting the LGBTQ youth and community. I dream that someday we will live in a world where we all accept each other and peacefully share our planet and beyond. Last but not least, I’m so excited about the Muggle Market because it seems like a good fit for my work, and it is one of the most unique events in the SE.

So this year’s Geek Gala theme is “Gears and Ghouls” and focuses on steampunk and day of the dead cosplay. If you could have one body part cybernetically enhanced or replaced, what would you choose, how would you want it changed, and why? If I could enhance one body part I’d say my hands (I know that’s really two parts). Bead weaving can take quite a toll on the muscles, tendons, and nerves that run through the fingers up the arms and to the shoulders. If I had cybernetic enhancements in my hands I could bead forever and arthritis could kiss my booty.